I would remove the entire wall between kitchen and dining room only. I think if you remove the rumpus room wall, you are going to end up with a really long narrow space, which will be difficult to use. do you want a "separate room" (what about in the future-kids? play room,office, formal dining , etc? An alternative to completely opening up the rumpus room to the kitchen, would be to create openings on either side, and leave the wall in the middle section. 2 advantages-a solid space to place a piece of furniture, and create a zone, whilst still opening it up quite a bit. depending on what you intend to use the rumpus room area for- you might even consider moving that wall across, so it is centered between the windows-a bit more space on the kitchen side, and a cozy space on the rumpus room side - if its going to be a play room/office/small sitting area, it would end up being about 3.7*3.4, which is still a good size (just not enough for a dining room or pool table) And then completely remove the wall section that is between the living room and dining room Depending on whether you think heating/noise etc is a problem with it so open, you could add either a barn door, or double glass doors to the opening. DEFINITELY remove the arches- i would just square them straight of to the ceiling. and leave the openings..or add a barn door Paint all that brick white-you will be amazed how much lighter the house will be. consider a doorway from the garage into the kitchen-it must be a pain carting the shopping through the house. Also, your windows need some timber architraves on the inside. Have fun - its always so exciting starting a new reno (for me-into my tenth year on the one house-not so much anymore :/ )

Hello Don't be disheartened! There are a few simple steps to get on track. From what you have said, you have a clear idea of how the house needs to change. Here are a couple of things you can do to get started... Step 1 would be to obtain a set of house plans from your local Council. They will charge a fee but you can then get a copy of whatever they have on file. This can be in addition to whatever you may have from previous owner, real estate agent etc. If you don't have one or can't get one, then draw a quick one with a pen and a tape measure like this.. Then make copies and get out the pencil! Step 2 would be to do an existing home survey... that is, take a copy of one of your plans and create a power plan by drawing the location of all the power points in each room throughout the house (including behind the dishwasher, microwave etc). You can then do the lighting showing the location of each of the lights, with a dotted line to the location of each switch. You now have a power and lighting plan. This helps you think of locations of existing items and will lead to what needs to be changed. For example, if you are updating the kitchen and considering moving the oven, you need to relocate the power for it ( this becomes a cost). You can then write down a list of what needs to be done/moved in the next step. Step 3 would be to write down what I call a scope of works. This is really just a list of what you want to do in each and every room on a room by room basis. For example, Bedroom 1 'Strip and remove carpet Strip and remove light fittings Strip and remove door handles Install extra power point to... etc This will help you think through and gradually build a list of what needs to be done. Again from the above if you want new door handles, you have to go and look and choose what you want... same again for flooring, lights, paint colours, blinds/curtains etc. When you get to bathrooms, it becomes a list of tiles, how high to tile the walls, the style you like, basins/s, taps, shower, shower taps, shower screen etc Step 4 would be start refining your thoughts on paper and draw up the proposed plan. Look at problems you see with eg the kitchen and have a think about what solutions will work, and draw in pencil possible options. By now you have put together an existing property plan, an electrical and lighting plan, a scope of works and a proposed layout plan. None of this has cost you any money and now you can either take this to some professionals, come on here and get advice on layouts, style or deign ideas, go to home opens in your area or go and speak direct with a builder. By following this you will have methodically worked out what you like and don't like, gotten an understanding of what is involved and given whoever you deal with an invaluable start as to what you want! Good luck!! Cheers

1) Consider your budget, your household, now and in the future, how long you plan on living in your home (which also relates to the risk of short term over capitalising). 2) Don't waste your time collecting images of beautiful $100,000 kitchens if your budget is $10,000. 3) Think about the big picture things, and get them right before thinking about the detail. 4) A good floor plan can't be resolved online without an understanding of the existing structure, environment, location, orientation and history of the house. These factors inform a good designer to prepare an appropriate design response. Removing a wall in plan may seem simple but there may be significant structural cost implications. 5) Make sure that all floorplans at the early stages include furniture so that you can understand how well it works (or doesn't work), sightlines, circulation and storage. 6) Engage a professional who is widely experienced with renovations and extensions to the scale, budget and style you are thinking about. Someone who can maximise your bang for your buck, who is also helpful, approachable and passionate about good residential design. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Bigreader, good morning. I do not know where you are or if you are the one who does all the washing in the household but here in Melb the only way we get it dry is to spread it about the family room, drape it across any heat source put it under some kind of cover outside and wait a week!! I know the alf is social but after a day in the garden, a trip to the beach (which yes we can do in Melb on the one or two days of summer!!) any general grubby activity entry not into the living room but thru the laundry is preferable to shed the dirty shoes, gloves, hats, towels etc and if it is raining there is additional incentive to not get wet! How many homes do you see with an extra roof over the laundry door? If you sneek a peek down the sideway you will see add on, rustic, jerry built covers over the door. It make very practical sense to me to share the wonderful properly structure of the alfresco with the laundry external door too. Better that than another leantoo to protect an area that will be in use 100 times a week? As to using the trough for bbq: yes laundry is the common place for drinks station and a good one it is too! Therefore excellent to be handy to the social area...... I rest my case!? I would like to know who agrees with me: comes down to how we use the rooms and areas of our homes!! From a practical, ever funtional housewife who hates the 'chinese laundry' spread about the whole house just to enjoy clean dry clothes and linen!!! Cheers Margot